And those who strive hard for Us, We will most certainly guide them in Our ways; and Allah is most surely with the doers of good. 29:69 The Quran

Common Heritage of All Mankind

Syed Javed Hussain

The message of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is so universal,multifaceted, all encompassing and pervasive that it has become the common heritage of all mankind. Without being conscious of its indebtedness to him the humanity is deriving tremendous benefits from the teachings of the most gifted, powerful and brilliant leader of mankind.

Although most of the world is still Christian yet when we explore theinfluence of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) upon the world in general we come to know that the whole world remains heavily indebted to him for ideological and doctrinal inspiration and sustenance.

He had also not come for any single nation but for all mankind, therefore, his message was for humanity in general. Pity that he is being branded as Prophet only of Muslims, whereas God in the Holy Qur’an says, “We have not sent the (Muhammad (PBUH) but as a (source of) mercy for all the nations.” (Ambia 21:107) It is further stated in the Holy Qur’an “Say, Allah is witness between you and me; and this Quran has been revealed to me that with it I may warn you and whomsoever it reaches.” (6:19)

Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught high principles of humanbehaviour and set lofty examples of his own character by practising them so that he should be emulated by everyone. His teachings being conducive to human nature transcend the manmade bearers of time and space and his role remains relevant and fresh for all time, not only for Muslims but for the entire fraternity of believers.

He taught humility, simplicity, hospitality, modesty, sincerity as well as honesty and made himself supreme example to be followed by the people of all races, cultures and creeds. His behaviour towards children, slaves, women, animals, relatives and orphans taught love, mercy, forgiveness, sacrifice justice and piety to the people of all ages and regions.

It is a great injustice done to the last Holy Prophet of God, Muhammad (PBUH) that the scope of his teachings has been limited to Muslims only. Whereas his teachings benefit Christians, Hindu, Jews, Buddhists and the adherents of all other religions of the world, it is a sad story of human turpitude, bias and prejudice that a colossal loss was done to humanity by denying it the benefits of the teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

For example “his message was the earliest in recorded history of precepts proclaiming that the human race is one in origin and destiny, in life and death, in rights and obligations before the law and before God, in this world and in the hereafter; and that there is no credit except for virtuous work and no superiority except for the most God-fearing.” He asked all men to abjure all kinds of prejudices (Asabiyah) and foster the brotherhood of believers.

The Holy Qur’an says, “O Mankind we created you from a male and female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. Verily, the most honoured of you before God is the most righteous of you: surely God is Knowing, Aware.” (49:13) His farewell Hajj sermon serves as a charter of human dignity and equality. “O people, Verily your Lord is one and your father is one. All of you are descendants of Adam and Adam was created out of clay.

There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over Arab, nor for white over the black nor for black over white except in piety.” In his last 23 years the people saw him fighting against ‘apartheid,’ tyranny, oppression, exploitation and injustice. He fought for everything good for humanity in general and opposed everything which was bad for it. The Holy Qur’an always addresses people as “O Mankind”, as the message was for all human beings and not only for Muslims.

The Holy Prophet’s teachings promise blessings for mankind in general. “O Mankind worship your Lord, who hath created you and those before you, so that you may ward off evils.” (2:22) The Holy Qur’an further says, “And those who believe and act righteously, joy is for them and a blissful home to return to.” (13:29) For the peace of mind and heart he has prescribed “Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (13:28) However, unfortunately not only that the world at large ignored the message of the last Holy Prophet of God, but the world of Islam also could not fully profit from his teachings.

His death was a catastrophe for the Muslims and the axis of the Islamic teachings slightly shifted. After fourteen centuries that slight shift has resulted in a colossal distortion and the Islamic world is groping hard to wriggle itself out of the abyss.

In the Muslim world there are factions, schism and rifts leading to fights and even wars within. Divisive forces are at work in the shape of sectarianism, ethnicity, covetousness, and so on. Mostly the religious leaders who should have been obviously the inheritors of the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) message have terribly failed in imparting their responsibilities. Instead, they seem to be the source of all the trouble, riot, frustration, discontent and disappointment the society is facing today.

Had they been able to structure their character according the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) they would certainly have been able to impart their responsibilities to the society more effectively. Internationally, the protagonists of the so-called New World Order are portraying “Islamic fundamentalism” and “militant Islam” as a potent threat to peace and stability, which is a colossal misrepresentation of the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) message of love, solidarity, fraternity and human brotherhood.

Unless the Muslim leadership and Ummah translate the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) into their lives they can’t absolve themselves of the blame. What an ugly scene does it make when one sees an “Alam” (Islamic Scholar) roaming and roaring about the streets of the country with a hoard of armed-guard brandishing sophisticated weapons and threatening all and sundry to declare the opposing sect as ‘kafir.’

It is high time we corrected our ways and emulated Muhammad’s (PBUH) character to enlighten the Western world that only Muhammad’s teachings can rescue its crumbling, shaking and pulverising culture from total destruction and elimination. The world must realise that the political, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, social, economic and national problems which it is facing today can only be solved with the help of the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Information

Although most of the world is still Christian yet when we explore the ﻿influence of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) upon the world in general we come to know that the whole world remains heavily indebted to him for ideological and doctrinal inspiration and sustenance.﻿